Signs of spring may be wiped out this weekend as a polar vortex is headed across the Northeast. Tuesday was sunny and in the 50s but also had a frost warning for that evening.
Polar Vortex Bringing Cold, Snow to Parts of Northeast
The date may say May, but it sure feels like it's still March. Temperatures have barely dipped into the 50s and 60s for a day or two before the weather turned cold, cloudy and rainy again.
And here we are in the first week in May or, as some call it, March 67th, with warnings of a polar vortex headed our way.
AccuWeather meteorologists say they anticipate the upcoming pattern to bring freezing conditions and — snow!
"The weather late this week to this weekend and beyond may seem unreal and downright nasty after the warmest weekend of the season so far," according to Accuweather. "After the temperature in New York City failed to climb to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during April for the first time in 80 years, since 1940, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), the high soared to 80 on Sunday.
"Unfortunately, for gardeners that jumped on the nice weekend weather and started to plant, weather more fitting for early to mid-March is coming on like a freight train."
The spring has been unseasonably cool, with frost warnings overnight on Tuesday in the higher elevation. The National Weather Service is forecasting more cold rain showers Wednesday through Thursday with the cold front beginning to arrive Thursday afternoon.
Lows will be in the 30s Wednesday night and in the 20s and 30s on Thursday night, setting up for a cold — and possibly snowy — weekend. Day temperatures won't get much past the mid-50s.
"Unfortunately with such a cold airmass expected to be place we are looking at chances for snow in the forecast even in the valleys," according to the NWS forecast discussion.
Accuweather's map shows the possibility of snow in Southern Vermont and across all of Berkshire County — although more likely in the higher elevations — while the rest of Massachusetts will get cold, gusty weather.
"Get ready to cover or bring in any sensitive plants you bought during the surge of warm weather this past weekend," Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather's top long-range forecaster, said. "It's not going to just get cold; it's going to snow and accumulate in some areas of the Northeast as well."
So make sure you cover up any plantings and bring any annuals inside. Hopefully, summer will be better than this spring in more ways than one.
Near #record#breaking cold possible Saturday with highs only in the 40s, more typical of March! A backward trajectory of the airmass over #MA#RI#CT Sat has its origins from the North Pole. Dear🎅 we only like deliveries from the north pole in December NOT May. Thank you😉 pic.twitter.com/u8g2SkdAAE
A look at Saturday morning, 09 May, weather chart showing the polar vortex over New England. This is quite the rare event for May! Notice the dip in the jet stream (purple arrow) which will usher in record low temperatures for many in the Eastern U.S. both Saturday and Sunday AM. pic.twitter.com/NLhyPckmTv
Here's the Euro weather model, paused at midnight Saturday morning. That white from the Appalachian mountains to New England aint ice-cream...check it out @MorningExppic.twitter.com/yQQjOboK1S
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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